Fradd sounds warning on classy sprinter Expedient

Expedient confirmed his position as one of the most progressive sprinters in training with a pillar-to-post victory in the first of five barriers trials down the Sha Tin 1,000-metre chute yesterday.

This traditional pre-Melbourne Cup set of trials habitually throws up some good prospects and yesterday was no exception.

The first two heats were dominated by more exposed sorts with Expedient clocking the best time of the morning as he scored by a couple of lengths and half a length from such quality opponents as Fairy King Prawn and Johan Cruyff.

The prolific Robbie Fradd has made the ride on Expedient his own and yesterday they jumped straight to the front and are likely to take plenty of beating when trainer Peter Ng Bik-kuen sends Expedient to the sports for his seasonal reappearance.

Fairy King Prawn has been significantly improved for his eye-catching first-up effort and looks one of the main chances in Saturday's National Panasonic Cup, which is down the same 1,000-metre chute.

David Hayes had the blinkers back on Johan Cruyff yesterday with the multiple champion jockey Basil Marcus replacing Freddie Sanchez, who failed to keep the International Cup runner-up straight on his reappearance.